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Winter Scramble - Mount Ararat

Snow scramble of Mt Ararat.

Mark Scheffer Mark Scheffer
December 29, 2025
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • The trail is washed out where it drops down to the first creek crossing. Currently it is a 10' tall cliff as the recent  heavy rain storm appears to have washed away the entire bank.  We were able to find a  way to scramble down to the creek by going about 50' to the left of where the trail ends and going down a steep short notch.  This notch is hidden until you go over a large fallen tree at the edge of the creek bank.

We started at 8am  from the trailhead. There was only about 3" of snow on the ground.  At 1 mile we hit the washed out trail noted above and did a very unpleasant 20 minute brush bash 30 yards to the right up the creek to connect with the trail on the other side of the bank.   

We continued up the trail in gradually deepening snow but without the need for snowshoes.   

Due to a very slow party member,  the group turned back at 4800' as it was clear we would not get the summit in time to get back to the creek crossing in daylight. The snow at that point was about 30" deep and we were using snowshoes (first time this year!).  

Upon our return to the creek crossing we followed the trail to the creek and forded it (one of the two bridges were gone). On the other side an easier and MUCH shorter brush scramble up the bank was identified, allowing us to regain the trail within 5 minutes and continuing to the trailhead without further issues.

The wash out is very significant and I am quite sure will not be repaired until this coming Summer.